Last Updated on December 11, 2022 by
White pair of sneakers will lose their entire appeal if the laces are dirty. If the shoelaces on a white Air Force 1, a Chuck Taylor, or Stan Smith appear dirty, the shoes will not seem as good. Unfortunately, laces typically get dirty before shoes, since they drag on the ground. Dirt tends to accumulate here more readily since most of them are made from absorbent materials like cotton.
However, all is not lost. Rather than buying new laces every year, you can keep your existing ones clean using a few quick ways and some basic products you probably already have at home. This article explains how to clean white shoelaces in three simple steps. The shine will likely need to be maintained by washing them regularly.
White shoelaces wash them by hand:
We recommend hand washing your laces so that you have more control over the cleaning process. First off, you will need a toothbrush, some toothpaste, some treatment, and some liquid laundry detergent. Then, add a half teaspoon of laundry detergent to 4 cups of hot water in a large bowl. Get the laces wet under running water before putting them in the bowl. Apply if necessary your stain remover. Soak the laces approximately 30 minutes in the warm water.
Bleach can be added to the water to brighten it further. You can only whiten synthetic fiber laces with oxygen-based bleach if they are made from synthetic fibers. Chelating with chlorine will result in fiber damage. Whatever bleach you select, always wear rubber gloves to reduce the likelihood of skin irritation caused by chemical contact.
Clean a toothbrush gently with warm water after the laces have fully soaked. Allow the laces to dry thoroughly after rinsing them thoroughly. If you want, you can also use a simple household hook. Adding a little hot water – about a cup or two – to a bowl, cup, or basin will help to clean up your laces if you don’t have a washing machine. You can swirl your toothbrush handle around the water to help remove loose dirt or use the brush handle as an agitator.
Laces can be washed in the washing machine:
Dingy, dirty laces can be detrimental to your shoes’ appearance. Because white laces are porous, they are likely to attract dirt more easily because they drag on the ground. If you wish to get your white laces to look their best, you can clean them in the washing machine or by hand.
It requires either a mesh laundry bag or an old pillowcase with zipper closure to remove the laces from the washing machine so that they don’t get tangled in the cycle. Make sure the laces are wet and the dirt has been removed from the brush before you start a cycle. After applying stain remover, leave it to sit for about twenty minutes to an hour, depending on how discolored the area is.
Then, place your laces in the mesh laundry bag or pillowcase, and add it to a load of white laundry. If it’s a large load, use more liquid detergent, and then wash it. If you’d like, you can also add a little bleach to the wash. Once the laces are clean, let them air dry. Lace tips in the dryer can be damaged by the hot heat, since the heat can bend the plastic during drying.
In a solution of Clorox soak them:
You’re not likely to get a satisfactory stain removal result with a weakened bleach solution on cotton laces. If you want to soak laces in regular bleach, you should soak them in three tablespoons and a gallon of water. If you plan to use bleach, wear gloves. Put your laces in a mesh laundry bag before submerging them in the bleach solution. Placing a plate on top of the bag will prevent the bag from floating to the surface. In the event that the laces still look horrid, soak them for five minutes then wash them in warm or hot water with laundry detergent.
Adding a little bleach – just a splash – will give white laces a touch of shine. Swish the laces around in some water with the toothbrush. For deeply encrusted dirt or persistent stains, soak for a few minutes longer. Adding several drops of dish or laundry soap to the bleach solution and stirring that with the brush will help make it less irritating to your skin. (Note: Do not touch the bleach solution with your hands.) Soak the sheets for approximately 10-12 minutes.
Then, drain your shoelaces thoroughly after they have been bleached. Once they have been soaked in bleach and appear clean to you, thoroughly rinse them, then air dry them on a rack or over a towel bar. It’s possible you’ll need to repeat the process if the stains aren’t totally removed.
Some laces, of course, can never be repaired. When that happens, it won’t hurt to have a few extra pairs of laces on hand to use once you’re ready to throw out your old pair. Take a look below for some ideas.
New look for white laces:
White laces can be cleaned with bleach and soaking, regardless of how you choose to do so. You will soon be able to wear your shoes without worrying about your laces.
The laces may not look as good as new if they are particularly dirty or yellow-stained. They may need more than a weak bleach solution to remove the stains. In lieu of that, you will need to soak them in bleach water that is stronger, which is safe to use for this purpose, according to Clorox.
Here are some things you’ll need
- Before you begin
- Cleaning the laundry sink
- With mesh bags
- A small plate
- A soft toothbrush
- A pair of rubber gloves
How to proceed?
- With a toothbrush and running water, remove any dirt that is readily apparent. Get as much dirt off as you can now.
- Use one gallon of hot water in a bowl or sink. Place 3 tablespoons of bleach in the water.
- Bag the laces in a mesh bag and soak for 30 minutes. Make sure you wear rubber gloves when submerging the bag. Ensure the bag stays submerged by placing a plate on top.
- Soak the laces for five minutes this way. Keep the time the same even if the laces are stained badly. Shoelaces can become weak if they are exposed to too much bleach.
- Launder the laces by hand or by machine after removing them from the bleach water. If the laces still seem stained, add as much bleach as you can to the machine.
Conclusion
Put your laces inside the water after adding enough dish soap on it to make bubbles. Spend 15 to 20 minutes soaking them, periodically swishing the laces with your hands in the water. Any remaining stains should be simple to remove with a replacement toothbrush. When finished, rinse & hang to dry.
